Swimming pool construction



y 1967 R. M. VANCE 3,317,925

SWIMMING POOL CONSTRUCTION Filed May 15, 1963 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR %air/ 7 k9/V6'E R. M. VANCE SWIMMING POOL CONSTRUCTION May 9, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 15, 1965 INVENTOR. F0552?- l/VC United States Patent Ofihce 3,317,925 Patented May 9, 1967 3,317,925 SWIMMING POOL CONSTRUCTION Robert M. Vance, P.0. Box 6226, Tucson, Ariz. 85716 Filed May 15, was, Ser. No. 280,512 3 Claims. (Cl. 4-172 The present invention relates to swimming pools and in particular to the construction of a light-weight unitary, rigid pool adapted to be. easily installed predominantly above ground with a minimum of expense and excavation.

In the past, it was customary to construct swimming pools at the site by first digging a hole the size of the desired pool and then forming the bottom and sides of the pool in the excavation. Conventionally, the bottom was constructed by pouring a concrete slab in place. The side and end walls were usually formed by preparing forms, placing steel reinforcing members and pouring in concrete or the like. Alternatively, the walls were constructed of reinforced brick or block and faced with cement or of concrete sprayed onto a suitable form of wood, steel or block. In addition, in cold areas the entire pool was required to be well anchored in the ground in order to resist the tendency of frozen ground to push the pool upwardly. If the pool was not anchored, it

tended to settle unevenly when the ground thawed, and

cracks in the bottom and sides often resulted. Accordingly, the massive construction and the building of forms or the erection of lumber, masonry or steel walls at the site was very costly and could not be afforded by a typical home owner.

A variety of swimming pool constructions have been suggested in attempts to overcomethe high cost of the conventionally constructed pool. For the typical belowground pool, it has been suggested to use a unitary, precast concrete pool constructed at a plant and hauled to the excavation in one piece. Constructions of this kind are fully disclosed in Patent Nos. 2,910,759, 2,902,157 and 2,617,764. It has also been suggested in Patent No. 2,944,264 to prefabricate a plastic below-ground pool which is formed in one piece at the factory and hauled to location. While these methods of construction effect some reduction in initial cost and installation, they require a large and accurately-sized hole for receiving the pool; and thus involve considerable expense in excavating and in hauling away the excavated dirt.

It has further been suggested that raised pools can be constructed on top of the ground so as to avoid some or all of the cost of excavation and the harmful freeze and thaw effects noted above. For example, pools constructed at the site of concrete with the use of various molding structures are suggested in Patent No. 2,910,759 and portable above-ground pools constructed of flanged aluminum sections bolted together are suggested in Patent No. 2,490,272. In addition, light weight pools have been constructed of flexible plastic sheet supported on tubular metal frames or the like. The latter type of pool lacks strength and is thereby limited to depths of about four feet.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a light-weight, rigid, completely prefabricated, swimming pool which is adapted to be easily and economically installed predominantly above ground.

It is a further object to provide a unitary prefabricated swimming pool of the above type which has a deep portion suitable for diving and yet requires only a minimum of excavation for its installation.

It is a further object to provide a relatively inexpensive unitary, prefabricated swimming pool having double side walls which have sufficient strength and rigidity to support the pool almost entirely on top of the ground.

According to the principles of the present invention, these and other objects and advantages are accomplished by forming the material of which the pool is to be constructed into the form of an open-topped, water retaining shell having inner generally vertical walls extending up wardly above ground and outer side walls spaced from and integral with the inner walls at least along their upper extremities. The lower edges of the outer walls rest on top of the ground to aid in supporting the weight of the filled shell when filled with water. Preferably, the inner and outer walls are constructed so as to have, in vertical transverse section, a generally channel shape, or the general shape of an inverted U. The invention will be further understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a swimming pool constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken on the line 22 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 33 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is an end elevational view of the pool;

FIGURE 6 is a side evelational view; and

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view looking from the deep end of the pool.

As shown in the drawings, a generally rectangular poo-l 10 includes a bottom wall 12 which is generally flat and horizontal at one end 14 and which bulges downwardly into a somewhat semispheri-cal bowl portion 16 at the other end so as to form a deep, or diving end of the pool.

In the particular pool illustrated the horizontal portion 14 of the bottom wall 12 rests on the surface 18 of the ground and the bowl 116 rests in an excavation in the ground which has been generally contoured to the bowl.

Integral with the bottom wall 12 and extending upwardly therefrom are an inner front wall 20, an inner rear wall 22 and two inner side walls 24. As will be understood, the junction between the sides of the bowl 16 and the walls 20 and 24 are smoothly contoured so as to produce a pleasing appearance and to avoid any edges which would interfere with swimmers. In general, it is desirable that the walls 20 and 24 be generally tangent to the curvature of the bowl at their junction therewith, that is, the walls 20 and 24 are generally vertical above ground level as seen in FIGURES 2, 3 and 4. It will be apparent that the precise curvature between the bowl 16 and the corners formed by the walls 20 and 24 may be varied as desired and will depend to a large extent on the diameter of the bowl 16. I The walls 20, 22 and 24 are formed integrally along their upper extremities with a single generally horizontal connecting portion 28 which extends laterally outwardly therefrom. The horizontal portion 28 is formed integrally with outer front, end and side walls 20', 22 and 25', respectively, which extend downwardly and slightly outwardly in spaced relationship to the corresponding inner walls 20, 22 and 24. The junctions between the outer end walls and the outer side walls are formed by curved portions 30 which are formed integrally 'with the walls. As shown, the outer walls 20, 22' and 24' termi nate in a single horizontal laterally extending flange 32 which encompasses the pool. The flange is intended to rest on the surface 18 of the ground and, as shown in the embodiment illustrated, lies in the same plane as the horizontal portion 14 of the bottom wall 12. All junctions of the connecting portion 28 with the inner and outer walls are preferably smoothly contoured as shown so as to avoid angular edges.

It will be appreciated that the channel or inverted U- shape of the integral inner and outer walls provides an extremely strong and rigid structure which will withstand not only the lateral forces exerted by water in the pool but also the weight of the water. The spacing and angle between the inner and outer walls and the shape of the walls and of the connecting portion 28 may be varied from those illustrated so long as the spaced integral wall construction is retained. Similarly, the width of the flange 32 may be varied. Although an outwardly extending fiange is preferred from the standpoint of strength, a flange can be omitted under some circumstances or can be constructed to extend inwardly.

The pool is preferably constructed entirely of laminated plastic of a type which provides low weight, high strength and high resistance to the deleterious effects of moisture, sun and temperature changes. The preferred materials of construction are polyester resins and woven glass fabric woven from glass fibers. The pool may be constructed by applying the glass fabric to a form having the contours of the pool and then impregnating the fabric with the resin in liquid, uncured form in such quantity as to insure that all the pores of the fabric are filled. Additional layers of impregnated fiber are built up and bonded together in the same manner to provide the necessary rigidity and strength, the actual number of layers depending primarily on the height of the side and end Walls. Preferably, the inner surfaces of the bottom, side and end walls are coated with a smooth continuous layer of the resin so as to provide a smooth surface free from cracks. Conveniently, the inner coating may be applied to the otherwise completed pool by spraying with a resin mixture compounded to cure immediately after deposition.

While laminations of glass fiber bonded and impregnated with polyester resin is the preferred material of construction from the standpoint of strength and resistance to cracking and deterioration, other reinforcing materials may be used. Asbestos cloth, nylon cloth and sisal, for example, are suitable as is steel or aluminum mesh. As is understood in the art, polyester resins are generally those compounds obtained as the polycondensation products of dicarboxylic acids with dihydroxy alcohols. The resins may also include various coloring materials such as dyes, pigments or powdered metals. A full description of polyester resins, their physical and chemical properties and their fabrication methods may be found in Bjorksten et al., Polyesters and their Applications. Reinhold Publishing Corporation (1956).

It will be appreciated, however, that the material of construction for the pool is not limited to reinforced plastic and that other materials may be used if desired. The advantages of economy and simplicity will be still realized by constructing the pool of aluminum or other metal, molded plastic or, in fact, any material which can be shaped, molded, pressed or cast into the desired doublewalled shape.

According to another aspect of the present invention the mechanical and electrical equipment required for the pool 10 is installed, preferably at the factory, as an integral part of the pool so that no installation, other than a water supply and an electrical outlet, are required for placing the pool in operation. Preferably, this equipment is installed between the opposed inner and outer walls so as to be hidden from view and protected from the weather. The equipment may be secured to and supported from the pool structure or if desired it may be supported directly from the ground.

As shown, the pool 10 includes a conventional skimmer and filter 34 arrangement located between the inner and outer front walls and 20' for drawing water from the surface of the pool and treating the same. The treated water leaves the bottom of the filter through a pipe 36, passes through an electrically driven pump 38 and isdischarged back into the pool through a pipe 40. An electrical conduit 42 leads from a standard electrical outlet 44 to a suitable connection 46 on the outside of the outer front wall 20 from which an appropriate line 48 leads to the motor of the pump. One or more underwater lights 50 provided with suitable electric lines 52 from the connection 46 may be mounted in the inner front wall 20 if desired. As seen in FIGURE 2, the filter arrangement 34 is supported by ground-engaging legs 35 but it will be understood that the equipment may be supported from the walls 20 and 20 if desired.

Conveniently, the horizontal connecting portion 28 of the pool 10 may be provided with a removable or hinged panel 54 to give access to the skimmer and pump. A water inlet pipe 56 passing through the inner and outer walls may also be provided for connection to a permanent water pipe or to a garden hose in the case of small pools. In the embodiment illustrated one of the outer side walls 24 is provided with a pair of removable panels 58 thereby permitting use of the space between the inner and outer walls for storage of swimming equipment or the like.

To place the pool 10 in operation, it is necessary only to make a relatively small excavation generally contoured to the bowl 16 of the bottom wall 12 and to level the surrounding earth. No refining or reinforcing of the excavation is necessary, because the bowl 16 of the pool is merely lowered into the hole until the flanges 32 and the horizontal portion 28 of the bottom wall 12 rest on the flattened earth. The pool may be filled with water immediately and is then ready for use. Connection of the conduit 42 to an electrical outlet places the pool in condition for continuous use.

While the precise dimensions of and equipment for the pool 10 form no part of the invention, the following figures are illustrative for a family-sized pool:

Inside length and width 20 ft. x 10 ft. Height above ground 3 ft.

Water depth, shallow end 33 inches. Water depth, deep end 6 ft.

Spacing between inner and outer walls at top 15 inches.

Spacing between inner and outer walls at flange 2 ft.

Wall thickness of laminated glass fiber and polyester resin /5 inch.

Filter 20 sq. ft. 8 disk elements of 12 inch diameter. Pump and motor 110 volts, /2 horsepow 3450 rpm. centrifugal pump.

A pool of the above size and construction is easily portable by truck as an integral unit to its installation site and requires no special equipment for placing it in position. It will be appreciated that larger or smaller pools can be constructed with corresponding changes in the case of installation.

While a preferred embodiment of the pool of the pres ent invention has been described it will be appreciated that many modifications may be made thereto within the scope of the invention. The preferred construction ineludes at least one deep-water bowl so that the pool may be used for diving even without extensive prior excavation, but if desired the pool may be constructed to set wholely on the surface of the ground. While the double, spaced and and side wall construction together with the flange 32 and connecting portion 28 are important features of the invention, they may be easily retained in pools of other shapes. It is contemplated also that the entire bottom wall may be set into an excavation if desired, although the advantages of simple installation would be partly lost by so doing. It is thus contemplated that the fiat portion 14 of the bottom wall 12 need not be parallel to or coplanar with the flange 32.

It will be appreciated that a swimming pool constructed in accordance with the present invention is light in weight, strong, rigid and highly resistant to deterioration and mechanical shock. A complete pool can be readily transported with a minimum of packing and with only ordinary care in handling. Since the required excavation, even for a pool of sufficient depth to permit diving, is small enough to be dug by hand the installation is extremely economical and easy. Thus, at relatively small expense a home owner can purchase and install a swimming pool of a size which in other types of construction would cost much more. A further advantage in the unitary construction 'which is not locked into the ground is that the owner may move his pool to another location. Since no investment has been made in a permanent excavation or in permanently installed pumping and filtering equipment, the owner can relocate his pool at only the cost of transporting the same. A still further advantage of the construction is that water need not be drained from the pool in freezing weather.

In use, the pool of the present invention possesses not only the advan-tages of strength and durability referred to above but also the advantages of a pleasing appearance and convenience to swimmers. The generally flat section 28 which joins the inner and outer walls of the ends and sides of the pool not only lends strength to the pool but also provides a place for swimmers to sit or stand when not actually in the water. This latter feature is particularly advantageous in that swimmers may leave the water and yet not step on to the surrounding ground. As is well known one of the disadvantages of pools which are not sur-rounded by a paved area is that dirt is often carried into the pool on the swimmers feet.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in detail and a number of modifications thereto have been suggested, it is not intended that the invention be limited to those details except as they appear in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A unitary, integrally constructed, self-supporting swimming pool having a shallow end portion which in use is disposed substantially entirely above ground and a deep end portion which in use has its bottom recessed to a substantial depth into the ground, said swimming pool comprising: a bottom Wall having a substantially horizontal first section which will engage the top of the ground when said pool is in use, said first section defining the bottom of said shallow end portion, and a second section disposed below the level of said first section so as to be disposed within and engage the surface of a cavity dug in the ground when said pool is in use, said second section being continuous with said first section and defining the bottom of said deep end portion; an inner side wall formed integrally with and circumscribing said bottom wall and extending upwardly therefrom, at least that portion of said inner side wall which is above the level of said first bottom wall section being substantially vertical; an outer side wall surrounding and spaced from said inner side wall, the lower extremity of said outer side wall terminating in a peripheral flange which lies in the horizontal plane of said first bottom wall section so as to engage the top of the ground when said pool is in use; a connecting wall portion formed integrally with the upper extremities of said inner and outer side walls and including a generally horizontal surface of substantial width; and water treatment equipment including a pump and filter disposed between said inner and outer side walls, said inner side wall having apertures therethrough for the passage of water to and from said water treatment equipment.

2. A swimming pool as in claim 1 wherein said second bottom wall section is generally bowl-shaped with its lowermost extremity being below said first bottom wall section a distance at least as great as the vertical distance.

between said first bottom Wall section and said connecting wall and wherein said inner side Wall is generally tangent to said bowl-shaped bottom wall section.

3. A swimming pool as in claim 2 constructed of polyester resin reinforced'with glass fibers.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,617,764 11/1952 Hauber et al. 4-172 X 2,847,680 8/1958 Dornack 4-173 2,886,828 5/1959 Lattuca 4-172 2,902,157 9/1959 Culver 4-172 X 3,015,191 1/1962 Lucchesi 4-172 X LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner.

I LENNY, Examiner.

H. I. GROSS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A UNITARY, INTEGRALLY CONSTRUCTED, SELF-SUPPORTING SWIMMING POOL HAVING A SHALLOW END PORTION WHICH IN USE IS DISPOSED SUBSTANTIALLY ENTIRELY ABOVE GROUND AND A DEEP END PORTION WHICH IS USE HAS ITS BOTTOM RECESSED TO A SUBSTANTIAL DEPTH INTO THE GROUND, SAID SWIMMING POOL COMPRISING: A BOTTOM WALL HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL FIRST SECTION WHICH WILL ENGAGE THE TOP OF THE GROUND WHEN SAID POOL IS IN USE, SAID FIRST SECTION DEFINING THE BOTTOM OF SAID SHALLOW END PORTION, AND A SECOND SECTION DISPOSED BELOW THE LEVEL OF SAID FIRST SECTION SO AS TO BE DISPOSED WITHIN AND ENGAGE THE SURFACE OF A CAVITY DUG IN THE GROUND WHEN SAID POOL IS IN USE, SAID SECOND SECTION BEING CONTINUOUS WITH SAID FIRST SECTION AND DEFINING THE BOTTOM OF SAID DEEP END PORTION; AN INNER SIDE WALL FORMED INTEGRALLY WITH AND CIRCUMSCRIBING SAID BOTTOM WALL AND EXTENDING UPWARDLY THEREFROM, AT LEAST THAT PORTION OF SAID INNER SIDE WALL WHICH IS ABOVE THE LEVEL OF SAID FIRST BOTTOM WALL SECTION BEING SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL; AN OUTER SIDE WALL SURROUNDING AND SPACED FROM SAID INNER SIDE WALL, THE LOWER EXTREMITY OF SAID OUTER SIDE WALL TERMINATING IN A PERIPHERAL FLANGE WHICH LIES IN THE HORIZONTAL PLANE OF SAID FIRST BOTTOM WALL SECTION SO AS TO ENGAGE THE TOP OF THE GROUND WHEN SAID POOL IS IN USE; A CONNECTING WALL PORTION FORMED INTEGRALLY WITH THE UPPER EXTREMITIES OF SAID INNER AND OUTER SIDE WALLS AND INCLUDING A GENERALLY HORIZONTAL SURFACE OF SUBSTANTIAL WIDTH; AND WATER TREATMENT EQUIPMENT INCLUDING A PUMP AND FILTER DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID INNER AND OUTER SIDE WALLS, SAID INNER SIDE WALL HAVING APERTURES THERETHROUGH FOR THE PASSAGE OF WATER TO AND FROM SAID WATER TREATMENT EQUIPMENT. 